Machine for the extraction of gold and other minerals



May 1942. s. STAGEBERG MACHINE FOR THE EXTRACTION OF GOLD AND OTHER MINERALS Filed Sept. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sterling Staeb efr?5 May 26, 1942. s. s'TAGEBERG 2,284,105

MACHINE FOR THE EXTRACTION OF GOLD AND OTHER MINERALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1940 Sterling Stageberc i7 67V @3M Patented May 26, 1942 UNiTFEn gSTAT MACHINE ronTHE-EXTnACrIoN or GOLD AND o'rnEn MINERALS Sterling Sta'geberg, lvlinieapolis'lvlinn., assigner to Wesley Styles, Minneapolis, Minn.

Y Application September 28, 17340, SerialNo. 358,763

' 11 claims. (cl. 209-200) My invention relates to machinesforthe extraction of gold from gold bearing ore,and `has for an object to producev a'machine by means of which gold our may be readily removed from the ore.

viding a machine inwhichour in lthe form of Another object of theinvention resides in proflake-like particles having a great superficial area may be readily removed` from theore. Y

A still further object of the'invention resides in providing a machine in lwhich a great per-A centage of the .goldmay beremoved fromv vthe ore. f Y Y Another object of the invention resides inpro-v Viding a machine utilizing a quantity of mercury for the extraction ofthe gold'andgin providing pump meansvvithin the-machine for the circulation of the ore, said pump means acting in conjunction with the mercury-to produce suction and pressure Within the machine.Y

A feature of the inventionY residesinconstructing the machine with a drum containing the mercury and rotatable "to maintain the 'merury within the drum in the form of an annulus en'- circling the inner peripheryof the drum. An object of the invention resides in providing a rotor Within the drum arranged eccentrically of the drum and adapted to dip finto the mer-'I Oury.

Another object of Vthe invention resides in Icon-l the ore is directed into the machine and the residue removed therefrom.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details vof constructionhereinafter'- illustrated and/ordescribed.`

In thedrawings: y y Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevational sectional vview of a 4machine -for the extraction vlof gold from gold bearing oreandillustrating an; embodiment ofmy invention.`4 -I of which the machine may be bolted' in place.

Fig. 2 is a cross V'sectionalview takenon line 2;2 of Fig. 1. v v

Fig. v3 is a cross sectional viewtaken on line 3-3 oiFig. 1. Y 'Y `My invention comprises a rotor I `inounted 'upon a horizontally extending shaft II. The shaft. II isrotatably. mounted in tWo .bearings lI2 and I3 carried by Vtwo standardsdv and I5. The Astandards I4 and I5 are provided'withieet I'I which arev arranged to rest upon 'the surface on which the machine is supported and bymeans The two standards I 4 and I5 have tubular portions I-B and I 9 which encircle the shaft lII and are spaced therefrom to form annular passage- Ways'ZI and 22 therebetween. The bearing I3 is provided with a seal 23 bymeans of `which leakage through the bearing I3 is prevented. 1A nipple 24formed on .thestandard I4, has-connected toit a4 pipe 25 by means Vof whichvthe ore from which thegold is tov be extractedA may be fed into the machine. This nipple is construct'- ed .with a bore 26 which communicates with the passageway 2L' The nippleZ extends upward- .ly from the tubular portion I8 ofthe standard. `In like manner'the' standard I5 is constructed with a nipple 2 1 which depends from the4 tubular portion IB'of said standard., This nipple'has a Y bore 28 therein which communicates withthe ,bushings 36l and 31.

providedA with bores which-receive the .ends .ot

passagevvayZZ; 'AA pipe-29 connected to thenipple Y2I conductsV away the*` residue from the machine.

'The rotor IIJ is disposed Within a drum3 #which has'attachedV to theends thereofE two flanges 32 and 33. "These anges are bol-ted to the drum 3| `by means of cap screws 315.-` The flanges 32 and 33 are provided with bearing portions 35 Which'are rotatably mounted upon two eccentric The eccentric bushingsare the tubularportions I8 and I9 of standards I4 and I5, previously referredto. These bushings are rigidlyeattachedlto the said tubular portions in anys'uitable manner. A seal 38arranged in a recess 3U in each of the flanges 32 and .33 forms a nuid tight connection between the drum and the two bushings 36 and. 31. The drum 3L is constructedwith a bore 5U which-is enlarged at one Vend as indicated at .39. The remainder fof the bore 50 is formed with internal threads 4I, the purpose of Which will be subsequently more fully described. Y

Within the ing a pump head 43, best shown in Fig. 3. l pump `head may be of anysuitable shape andhas enlarged portion 39 of the bore of drum 3| lis arranged a pump mechanism 40 hay-v screws 48 which extend through said parts and' are threaded into said rotor. The plate 46 has two holes 5| and 52 in the same disposed in the same circumferential direction with reference to the blades-44 and 45 and in close proximity there-Y 'j to. Likewise the plate 41 has two similar holes f 53 and 54 on the opposite sides of the blades-44 and 45. Within the drum `3| is provideda quantity of mercury which, when the drum and TQ:

tor rotate, is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force to take the form of a hollow cylinder desig-A nated by the dash line 55 and having a cavity 56 Within the same. The quantity of mercury is sufficient so that .the edges of the two. plates V46 and 41 are at all localities immersedin'the mercury and also thei tips of the blades 44` and 45. 'I'he holes 5|, 52, 53 and 54a-re soloat'ed' that, when theholesare at the uppermostportionof the machine, said holes communicatewith theV cavity 56 and when said holes are at'the lowermost portion of the machine the said holes: are immersed in thekmercury. The pump head A43 being eccentrically positioned relative to the mercury causes la pump action'which creates a suction in the holes 5| and 52 in plate 46 and a pressurethrough theholes 53 and 54 in'plate 41. Thus fiuid is drawn fromthe cavity 56 on the left hand side of the pump head and discharged into the cavity on the righty hand of Vsaid pump head, as viewed in Fig.`l. g j .i A

Therrotor is constructedat its periphery with a number `of circumferentially extending fins 51 which are adapted to dip into the mer; curyat the lowermost portion ofthe machine and to become spacedfrom the surface ofthe by any suitable means, not shown in the drawings.

follows: The desired quantity of mercury is first placed into the drum 3| through the funnel 65 and valve 64. This valve is then closed. The shaft and the shaft 68 are next brought up to proper speed. 'This causes the mercury to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force and to assume the form of a hollow cylinder, as indicated in Fig. 1. Rotation of the pump head 43 causes a suction on the left hand side of the said pumphead and pressure on the right hand side thereof. The ore from which the gold is to be removed iscrushed and mixed with water and thegsubstancej introduced into the machine through the pipe 25. 'Ihe Water and ore passes from thisvpipe through the passageways 26 and i 2j -nto the left hand end of the cavity 5B Within the mercury 5 5, The same is then drawn through '-'the pump andl discharged under pressurein'tothe passageway58. Here the particles of 'ore' and gold are dragged around bythe peripheraledgesof the iins 51' and immersed into the mercury where` amalgamationfof -the gold with the mercury occurs. ns this process continues the'residue isl forced towardthelA right as viewed inFig. l; andnally-.discharged from the machine through the pa'ssageways 62,22'and mercury at the uppermost portion of themachine to form a passageway 58v in the cavity 55 between said rotor and the surfaceV ofthe mer:- 'cury at the upper portion of the machine," -This passageway is in communication with the discharge end of the pump means of'the invention. The cavity 56 is also in communication with the passageway 22. For this purpose a conical socket f 59 is formed in the end of the'roto'r land, the 4'end of the bushing 31'is`v constructed conicalas indicated at 6|. These parts are spaced from one another to leave a passageway 62 which com;

municates with the passageway" 58" and .also with ,u

the passageway 22.

Mercury maybe yplaced into Ythe drum by 28 leaving the lmachinefthroughl the -pipe 29.

During operation of theimachnethe threads 4I cause circulation of the Vmercury Vaxially with respect to the machine so that uniform amalgamation occurs whereby more effective extraction of the gold canA be Secured.' :After thedesired degreelof amalgamationlhas been? procured the machine is? stopped and theAdrum- 3| turnfec'l' until vthe ipetcock" 66' isV` at the lovverrmostr portion of the same. yThis petcock and the. valvef'64 are then opened and the mercury drainedout of the machinefand finto a sauitalzalep receptacle.; 'lhe goldf-may thereafter be kreclaimedjfrom; the vmercury or 'by distillation'V or any Vother suitable-1manT nerf" .A

VThe advantages of w myv invention are readily apparent. Ihemachine is .extremely .small and compact. The mercury in the machineserves a -byjmeans of which'the ore'is conducted through the machine. 1 Due to the extendedarea fof the Y edges ofthe fins which' immerseqthe ore.v into means of a valve 64 which: has afunnel 65 forme ing a partA thereof.

- gear 66.This gear meshes with thepinion 61 suitable means A" This valve communicates*` with the enlarged portion '39 of bore V 5|l lof drum f' the mercury, flake-like. particles of ore. vwhich have a large `area and small Weight can be readily immersed' inthe mercuryand amalgamated. My invention canA be constructed 'at'a nominal costand if desired can be made portable. 'Ihe device isextremelyy 'simple in construction and will not readily get out of ordeinf A g Y Changes inf-the specific form of my invention', as herein "dsclosedmay.A be made within the scope of' what is claimed without departing from lthe spirit of my invention.; u 1

Having described my invention, what claim as new anddesire to protect by Letters ,Patent is: combination,r a lrevoluble drumfor the reception ofa quantity of, mercury having'asub- 'stantially horizontal axis; al rotor'. Within the drum, said rotor being eccentrically disposed -within said drum Vand dipping'partlylinto the l-merczury on one side anclbeirg free from the mounted on the shaft-6s. 'shaft ssis'journaied Y "in a bearing 69 ,formed on vthe standard 4.. The :shaft 68,' ysimilar to .the 'shaft Vmay 'bei driven 'm'e'i'cuy`or).4 the other side,f`meas 'for rotating Ythe rotoi, means for feeding crainte-the said rotor serving to'immerse the ore -into the The method of operation of the invention is as l mercury, and means' for removing the residue from theV drum.

2. In combination, a drum for the reception of aquantity of mercury, means for rotating the mercury to maintain the mercury within the drum in the form of a hollow cylinder disposed at the inner periphery of the drum, a rotor within the drum and situated eccentrically with reference to the cylinder, said rotor having a diameter and location such as t-o cause one portion thereof to dip into the mercury and the opposite portion to become spaced from the mercury to form a passageway therebetween,V means for feeding ore into said passageway at one end, and means for removing theresidue from said passageway Vat its other end.

3. In combination, a drum for the reception of a quantity of mercury, means for rotating the mercury to maintain the mercury within the drum in the form of a hollow cylinder disposed at the inner periphery of the drum, a rotor within the drum and situated eccentrically with ref-Y erence to the cylinder, a plurality of fins extending circumferentially about said rotor, said rotor having a diameter such as to cause the ns at one portion thereof to dip into the mercury and at the opposite portion thereof to become spaced from the mercury to form a passageway there'- between, means for feeding ore into said passageway at one end, and means for removing the residue from the passageway at its other end.

4. In combination, a drum for the reception of a quantity of mercury, means for rotating the mercury to maintain the mercury within the drum in the form of a hollow cylinder disposed at the inner periphery of the drum, a rotor within the drum situated eccentrically with reference to the cylinder, said rotor having a diameter such as to cause the lowermost portion thereof to dip into the mercury and the upper portion thereof to become spaced from the mercury to form a passageway therebetween, means for feeding ore into said passageway atvone end, and means for removing the residue from said passageway at its other end.

5. In combination, a drum for the reception of a quantity of mercury, means for rotating the mercury to maintain the mercury within the drum in the -form of a hollow cylinder disposed at the inner periphery of the drum, a rotor within the drum and situated eccentrically with reference to the cylinder, a plurality of iins extending circumferentially about said rotor, said rotor having a diameter such as to causethe lower portions of the fins to dip into the mercury and the upper portions of the fins to become spaced from the mercury to form a passageway therebetween, means for feeding ore into said passageremoving the residue from said'fpassageway at its other end.

7. In combination,- a drum for the reception of a quantity of mercury, means for rotating the mercury to maintain the mercury within vthe drum in the form of a hollow 'cylinder disposed at the inner periphery of the drum, threads formed upon the inner surface ofthe drum! for moving the mercury'axially along said drum, a rotor within the drum situated e'ccentricallyv with reference to the annulus,a plurality'of fins exway at onel end, and means for removing the residue from said passageway at its other end. 6. In combination, a drum for the reception vof a quantity of mercury, means for rotating the tending circumferentially about said rotor, said rotor having a diameter such as to cause the fins at one portion thereof to dip into the' mercury and at the oppositeV portion thereof to become spaced from the mercuryto` form a passageway therebetween, means for feeding ore into said passageway at one end, and means for'removing the residue from the passageway at its other end. Y

8. In combination, a drum for Vthe reception of a quantity of mercury, a rotor within the drum situated eccentrically with reference thereto, a pump mechanism at one end of the rotor including a number of radially extending blades adapted to extend into the mercury and cause rotation of the mercury at such end of the drum, means for vfeeding ore to the pump mechanism,

fins on said rotor, said ns dipping intoA the' mercury along one portion of the same and being spaced from the mercury at another portion of the same to provide a passageway therebetween, said pump means discharging the ore into the passageway, said fins causing mixing of the ore with the mercury, and means for removing the residue from said passageway at the end thereof opposite the pump mechanism.

9. In combination, two spaced hollow tubular supports, bearings formed in said supports, a

into one of said annular passageways, and means the other annular for removing'the residue from passageway.

10. In combination, two spaced hollow tubular supports, bearings formed in said supports, a shaft rotatable in said bearings, said shaft forming annular passageways with respect to said supports, eccentric bushings mounted on said tubular supports, a drum rotatable on said bushings and having a quantity of mercury therein, means for rotating the drum to maintain the mercury Within the drum in the form of a hollow cylinder disposed at the inner periphery of the drum, a rotor within said drum carried by said shaft, a plurality` of fins extending circumferentially about said drum and dipping into the mercury at one locality thereof, said fins being spaced from the mercury at another locality to form a' passageway therebetween, one of said annular passageways communicating with said last named passageway at one end, and the other of said passageways communicating with said last passageway at its other end, means for feeding Y ore into one of said annular passageways, and

means for removing the residue within the drum from the other of said annular passageway.`

11. In combination, twospaced hollow tubular supports, bearings formed insaid supports, a shaft rotatable in said bearings,said shaft forming annular passageways with respect to said supports, eccentric bushings mounted Von said tubular supports, a drum rotatable on said bushings and having a quantity of mercury therein, means forrrotating the drum to maintain the mercury within the d rum in the form of a hollow cylinder disposed at the inner periphery of the drum, a rotor within said drum carried by said shaft, a plurality of ns extending circumthe mercury at'onelocality. thereof; said fins bing spaced from the mercury at another locality to form a passageway therebetween, one of said annular passageways communicating with said last named passageway at one end, pump means on said rotor acting with the mercury in the drum to vbring saidk other annular passageway intol communication with the other end of s'aid ferentially aboutsaid drum and dipping into 15 last named passageway, means for feeding ore into lthe annular passageway cbmm'unicating with said pump means, and means for removing the re'sidueffrom said last named passageway through they other annular passageway.

" Y STERLING STAGEBERG. 

